Plan a Camping Trip: Get S’More Bang for Your Vacation Buck

It’s no secret that camping is one of the least expensive vacations you can take with friends or family. Typically easy to plan, you can camp close to home for the weekend, or go big and explore the parks across the country. Whether it’s the ghost stories around the campfire, a breathtaking vista, or the surprise storm that keeps you snuggled in your tent playing Gin Rummy for hours, camping trips are always fantastic memory makers and a great way to get back in touch with old Mother Nature. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the wimpy side when it comes to roughing it, or you’re an avid outdoor adventurist, there is a campsite for everyone out there!

Get Ready, Set, Go!

If you have the itch for a last minute summer weekend trip, you can usually find a nearby campground with an open spot. However, you’d be surprised to find that if you don’t want to pitch your tent right next to the bathroom, or if you’re interested in going to a popular park, planning well in advance is essential! Do your homework, account for any special permits you may need (like a fishing permit), and make sure you have all the necessary gear to make your trip a success—kids or no kids!

Budget

If you already own basic camping supplies or you’re headed into the wild with an experienced camper, your trip may just cost you the site fees, food, and gas. However, if you can’t borrow equipment or need to buy the proper clothing and supplies, plan to spend a good chunk of dough on necessary gear. If you do choose to make the investment to purchase a tent, backpack, cooking supplies, and special attire, plan to love camping and go often! Initial costs are not cheap, but they will pay off down the line. With purchasing modest gear and site rental fees, estimate $600-$1,000 for a family of four or up to $300-$400 for an individual.

If you do choose to make the investment to purchase a tent, backpack, cooking supplies, and special attire, plan to love camping and go often!

A Place to Pitch Your Tent

If you’re looking to go car camping (meaning pitching your tent next to the car—not hiking two miles into the woods to set up camp), commercial campgrounds are great for families and do provide some amenities like electricity, running water, and bathrooms. These sites typically range from about $20-$40 per car, per night. If you’re looking for a more rustic experience and plan to hike into the woods with your gear on your back, park fees range from $5-$15 per person, per night.

Gear and Supplies

A tent, sleeping bags, cooking gear, food, water, and the proper clothing and footwear are the basic essentials of any outdoor adventure. If you don’t already have what you need, first try borrowing from your friends. If you become a member of your local REI store, you can typically get deals up to half off the regular prices, and you’ll have a heads up on all of their store and online sales.

The Basic Gear You Need

Tent. All tents are not created equal! To avoid overspending, consider the season you will be using your tent the most, how often you’ll use it, and how many people you need to sleep (for example, new 4-person tents start at about $150).
There are basically five types of tents to choose from. Each type comes in a variety of sizes, weights, and prices:

Car-camping tents

Summer tents

Three-season tents

Convertible tents

Mountaineering (winter) tents

Sleeping Bag. Just like tents, sleeping bags come in many shapes and sizes. For example: a woman’s bag is usually narrower in the shoulders and wider in the hips than standard sleeping bags and often have extra insulation around your feet. Sleeping bag costs start at about $50 for kids and $150 for adults.

Camping Stove. You can buy a decent stove for about $50-$100. Stoves come in two types: butane (canister) stoves and white-gas (liquid-fuel) stoves. Basically, if you’re strictly a recreational camper then you most likely will need the butane stove. If you’re camping in places that are prone to extreme wind or cold temperatures, then go with the white-gas model.

How to Find the Best Places to Camp

Finding the perfect spot to rest your head depends on what you want to get out of your camping experience. For instance, if you’re taking a family trip, you may need to look into kid-friendly sites with lots of activities. If it’s just you and your sweetie, then you might want to scope out a more secluded site. Also, if you are hoping to experience something special like hiking, rock climbing, bird watching, horseback riding, or fishing, look for parks that cater to your interests.